Childcare director links fall in abuse reports to closure of schools

By Lazeena Yearwood On In Stabroek Weekend |
Although reports of child abuse in Guyana have decreased during the first five months of the year, Childcare and Protection Agency (C&PA) Director Ann Greene says that reporting has been affected by the closure of schools, which are key allies of the agency.
Although reports of child abuse in Guyana have decreased during the first five months of the year, Childcare and Protection Agency (C&PA) Director Ann Greene says that reporting has been affected by the closure of schools, which are key allies of the agency.

Although reports of child abuse in Guyana have decreased during the first five months of the year, Childcare and Protection Agency (C&PA) Director Ann Greene says that reporting has been affected by the closure of schools, which are key allies of the agency.

Greene told Stabroek Weekend that she believes the complaints have stopped since the children are at home with their abusers due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Greene noted that child abuse is a hidden crime which is mostly done behind closed doors. “Some children don’t have a voice to tell of abuse, some are not even aware that they are being abused, so child abuse is a hidden crime, it is a child in a difficult circumstance,” she further added.